Meta-analysisindependent cross-checkabstract only checked★ key study I-LEG-02 in-depth review
Beans and lentils lower LDL cholesterol
Effect of dietary pulse intake on established therapeutic lipid targets for cardiovascular risk reduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Overview
Ha V et al.. CMAJ 2014 · PMID 24710915 · DOI 10.1503/cmaj.131727
About one serving of pulses daily lowered LDL cholesterol in randomised trials.
Does the study support the specific claim? No · Methodological quality: moderate
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Pulses and lipids
- How was the study done?
Meta-analysis of RCTs
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
1,037
- What was actually found?
Lower LDL
- How large was the observed effect?
-0.17 mmol/L
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Beans support heart health markers.
- What are the study's limitations?
Short trials
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Contradicts harm claims
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
High
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
Cannot show long-term outcomes.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Ha V et al.
- Journal
- CMAJ
- Year
- 2014
- Identifier
- PMID 24710915 DOI 10.1503/cmaj.131727
- Verification
- verified – PubMed efetch 2026-10-25
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
not stated in abstract
2. Research question
Effect of pulses on LDL, apoB, non-HDL.
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Meta-analysis – Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs (≥3 weeks)
- Population
Adults in RCTs
- Country
Multiple
- Period
Search to Feb 2014
- Sample size
26 RCTs; n=1,037
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Isocaloric comparison diets
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Diets emphasising pulses (median 130 g/d)
- Comparator
Diets without pulses
- Endpoints
LDL-C, apoB, non-HDL-C
- Statistical methods
Random effects
5. Actual results
- Results
LDL-C mean difference -0.17 mmol/L (95% CI -0.25 to -0.09); no effect on apoB or non-HDL-C.
- Absolute risks
not reported
- Authors' conclusion
Pulse intake significantly reduces LDL; longer, higher-quality trials needed.
6. Strengths
- RCT-based
7. Weaknesses
- Short trials
- Quality variable
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- AMSTAR 2
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- some concerns
- Rationale
Trial quality variable.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
Modest clinically relevant effect.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Causal evidence of a benefit of pulses on LDL.
11. Independent contrary findings
None.
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
High.
13. Overall methodological judgement
Supports benefit.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | moderate |
| Risk of bias | some concerns |
| Precision of results | high |
| Directness | direct |
| Reproducibility | replicated |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | consistent |
| Regional transferability | high |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
Hard endpoints.
15. Linked fact checks
- Fava beans and lentils (together with flour products) are toxins that cause inflammation and deteriorate health; the fava bean hull is indigestible and the bean contains toxins that ferment 'dirtily'. – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim
- Because of favism (and the other narrow risks), legumes should be excluded from everyone's diet. – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim
- Plant lectins in legumes survive digestion, bind to intestinal cells and harm human health, so legumes are harmful even when eaten normally. – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim
- Legumes as a whole (fava beans, lentils, chickpeas, beans, cowpeas, peas, lupin, peanuts) are harmful and should be fully forbidden. – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim
- Avoiding (nearly) all vegetables, salads and legumes is compatible with good health. – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim